Hmong pro-wrestling night

St. Paul, MN — Get Ready to Rummmmmbbbbbbllllllleeee. Hmong College Prep Academy will be hosting an evening of pro wrestling and family entertainment on Saturday, May 12th. The action will take place in the school’s gym and also feature live music and break dancing exhibitions.

HCPA Social Studies teacher Morgan McLaughlin is very excited about pro wrestling coming to HCPA. “It’s going to be a great night of entertainment,” stated Mr. McLaughlin. “We’re partnering with the American Wrestling Federation, a St. Paul-based group that is regularly seen on KSTC Channel 45 and puts on shows throughout the Midwest. It should be a lot of fun.”

The event is being held as a fundraiser for a new HCPA study abroad program and the school’s Junior Committee. A silent auction featuring St. Paul Saints and Minnesota Lynx merchandise, autographed books and a number of area merchant gift certificates will take place. There will also be live music from HCPA junior Jasmine Xiong and a break dance exhibition from the school’s own Supermen Hip-Hop Dancers. Proceeds from the festivities will be used towards their senior class trip.

The wrestling portion of the evening will feature five matches including a special main event tag team match that will include HCPA Flag Football and Girls’ Volleyball Coach Fong Vang. In collaboration with the Sophomore Committee, Coach Vang has organized his wrestling debut as a fundraiser. The group will be selling T-Shirts that say Team Coach to help support Coach Vang and raise a little bit of money for their senior trip in a few years.

“I am definitely ready and excited about wrestling for it has always been a childhood dream of mine,” stated Coach Vang. “To get ready for my match, I started jogging as soon as I heard I was chosen by the students to wrestle and have done so for the past few months. It has really helped me get in shape and also to show the students that with some hard work you can achieve anything.”

Wrestling has always been a part of Coach Vang’s family. “When I was little I remember my dad taking us to wrestling matches and seeing all the great superstars. My brothers and I would always wrestle on our mattress and of course we would get in trouble by my mom. Thankfully my brothers, sisters, and nephews will be coming up to support me and watch me live out my childhood dream.”

Ask if he was nervous getting in the ring with professional wrestlers, the coach responded, “Getting ready to wrestle has really helped me get into shape…in fact, I’ve lost about 20 pounds. With the combination of eating healthy and working out, I know I’ll be ready. The AWF wrestlers better watch out for Team Coach.”

Wrestling at HCPA will take place in the school’s gym on Saturday, May 12th with the first match set to take place at 7 PM. Tickets are $10 adults, $7 Students with ID (Limit 4 student tickets with ID) and children under 10 are free. There will also be a special family rate of $20 for up to four people. The event is sponsored by Western Bank, Netrix, Hmong American Partnership and the Minnesota Stars. For more information, interested parties can contact Mr. McLaughlin 651-209-8002 or online at [email protected] Tickets will also be available at the door.

Hmong College Prep Academy is located at 1515 Brewster Street in St. Paul, just southeast of the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. HCPA provides free tuition, breakfast, lunch and bus transportation for all students. For more information or directions, interested parents and students can call 651-209-8002 or online at www.hmongacademy.org. The school is currently enrolling students in grades K-12.